The lingering facial paralysis from Bell’s may or may not be permanent. That resulting from Ramsey Hunt is rarely permanent.

Mr. Chrétien’s Bell’s Palsey occurred in his earlier years and resulted in a paralysis that gave us his slight speech impediment and appearance. Ms Chow has no speech impediment — I suspect slightly different nerves are affected — and a very different face.

So it would be best to say that “while the effect of Ms Chow’s condition seems somewhat similar . . .” The different is important. They are different conditions with different effects and with different durations.

Otherwise it would be like writing, “The Toronto Star is similar to the Toronto Sun except it’s a different size.” And we know the differences, in effect, are vast.